Best Reviews 2019

Laptops

The Razer Blade 15 Advanced has the right combination of power, style, and display to make it our top pick over an impressive range of gaming laptops on the market today. If the Blade isn't quite what you're looking for, there are plenty of other options available that should suit your needs.

Laptops are amazing tools for people on the go, but those compact features quickly become flaws at home or in the office. That's where the docks we're highlighting here come into play. The CalDigit TS3 Plus is our top pick for a laptop docking station thanks to its wide selection of ports, including five USB-A 3.1, two Thunderbolt 3, two USB-C, and Ethernet, all contained in a compact and durable aluminum chassis. As long as your laptop has a Thunderbolt 3 port to connect, it should be your first choice.

Dell's XPS 13 is an impressive 13-inch notebook, but if it's not quite what you're looking for, Lenovo's IdeaPad S940 will make an outstanding alternative. It has a brilliant 14-inch 4K HDR display with smooth contour, awesome audio from Dolby Atmos speakers, and plenty of configuration options for strong performance. If it's a notebook you're after and the XPS 13 isn't on your shortlist, definitely consider the S940, though there are plenty of other options available that we've rounded up here.

The new Dell XPS 13 comes with Intel 10th Gen processors, but it's still lacking on the graphics front in no small part due to its compact size. Whether you're looking for more horsepower for professional applications or gaming, you'll need an eGPU to partner your XPS 13, and for that, you want to grab a Razer Core X, which is a great enclosure.

Sitting up straighter or standing is a great way to improve your posture when using a laptop, but this can sometimes result in your device feeling uncomfortable to use. Laptop stands are a fantastic way to solve this problem, as they allow you to elevate your computer above your desk. The laptop stand market is wide, but among the competition, we think the standout winner is the AOOU Laptop Stand as it maintains a fantastic balance between versatility, durability, and price.

Compared to just a few years ago, many more laptops now include a 4K display option, but Dell's XPS 15 (7590) is our top overall pick. Its 4K OLED display is absolutely gorgeous, it has a dedicated GPU and 9th Gen Intel Core CPU options for outstanding performance, and it's all contained in a slim aluminum chassis that can fit into any setting. You'll get all-day battery life from the whopping 97Wh battery, altogether making this a laptop you can carry with you everywhere you go.

The Dell XPS 15 isn't a terrible gaming laptop. In fact, it comes with a dedicated GPU if you configure it from Dell, but that's still not enough for more demanding PC games. This is when you'll want to hook up an external GPU (eGPU) to the available Thunderbolt 3 port. We'd recommend the Razer Core X enclosure along with a GPU simply because it offers the best bang for your buck.

The Razer Blade Stealth is a capable laptop on its own, but if you want to game on it to the maximum potential, you'll need to hook up an eGPU to its Thunderbolt 3 port. And for that, you want to grab a Razer Core X, because it's the perfect companion.

Laptops come in a whole manner of shapes and sizes, but for video editing and other intensive workloads, it's all about the internals. Working with high definition (1080p) or even 4K content with gigabytes worth of data to process and effects to add and sample, you need a beefy machine with the best processor and discrete graphics, which is why the Razer Blade Pro 17 is a great option.

Looking for a new laptop that has Thunderbolt 3 ports? Well, you're in luck, as we've rounded up what we think are the best Thunderbolt 3 enabled laptops available to buy today, including the Huawei Matebook X Pro. We've got everything from the beautifully designed, to the devices with all-out power.

A 15-inch laptop is a perfectly sized device for those who want a bit of extra screen real estate and some extra performance, and the Surface Book 2 is our top overall pick. It has a gorgeous touch display with 3:2 aspect ratio that can detach from the main portion of the chassis to be used as a tablet, it's available with 8th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor (CPU), and it comes with up to an NVIDIA GTX 1060 graphics card (GPU) for serious power. If you'd like something a bit different, we've rounded up a bunch of other great 15-inch laptops right here.

A good laptop is critical for today's college students. It's the beating heart of the working environment. Whatever the budget, you want a quality laptop for work and play, and the HP Spectre x360 fits that bill perfectly.

Rugged laptops aren't something that crosses the path of the average consumer very often, but for those who require something that can take some real punishment, whether for work or for leisure, they're invaluable. Fortunately there are some really good choices for those who need them, but the Dell Latitude 5424 Rugged is the best of the bunch.

Rugged laptops are often as thick as a briefcase and covered in what feels like an inch of rubber. That's great for if you're on a construction site, but won't work for students. You don't have to purchase a box with a keyboard to get a laptop that can survive a little abuse. Several laptops feel like everyday laptops and happen to have extra protection, such as the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e, which has reinforced hinges and rubberized corners.

A good laptop is almost essential these days for school and beyond to get work done efficiently. However, school is also not an environment for thousand dollar Ultrabooks, especially when your kid is young. You instead you need something compact, affordable, and durable, but that still has great hardware and performance. For that, we'd pack the excellent ASUS VivoBook E203

Buying a laptop for business use is very different than buying one for education or casual consumer use. Priorities change, but the need for a great laptop remains. Whether it's from Dell, Microsoft, Huawei, or HP, there are some truly great business laptops out there. But none are as good as the Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1

The easiest way to upgrade the performance of your Dell XPS 15 is to increase the RAM. The Corsair Vengeance Performance 32GB DDR4 kit is the perfect upgrade for the Dell XPS 15 (7590 and 9570), allowing you to really take advantage of the GTX GPU and Intel Core i7 processor. The more RAM you have, the more you can do at once on your notebook.

An ideal laptop for a high school student needs to be powerful, offer great value, be rigid enough for daily use, and have a sound design that younger consumers would want to use. The Dell XPS 13 ticks all these boxes and is one of the best 13-inch laptops you can buy. The latest model comes rocking 8th Gen Intel processors and plenty of storage and RAM for school work.

The optical drive may be a dying feature on laptops, but there are folks who absolutely must have one. It's harder than ever to find a good laptop with this kind of drive, but not impossible. Whatever your budget or specific use case, there are still good laptops out there for you like the HP Envy 17t.

Dell makes some of the very best Windows laptops money can buy. From the Alienware gaming machines to the incredible XPS 13 and XPS 15 and beyond, there's a lot to choose from. But laptops like these are also very pricey. Not wanting to spend thousands shouldn't exclude you from having a great laptop, and in the case of Dell, you can get something good for under $500 like the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1.

A laptop you can save money on up front but still upgrade down the line is a sound investment in order to increase the longevity and usefulness of your device. Generally speaking, we're referring to both RAM and solid-state drive (SSD) upgrades, and a laptop like the Dell XPS 15 is perfectly suited for this sort of plan.

There's a Dell laptop for every kind of user, although there's one we'd recommend above the rest. The Dell XPS 13 (9380) is the company's flagship notebook in the 13-inch segment, sporting the latest components and premium design. While not the best value on the market, this Dell laptop will certainly put a smile on your face.

Buying a new laptop can be a tough process, especially when it comes to weeding out the not-so-great devices that are displayed alongside truly stellar hardware. If you're shopping for a new device and can appreciate the extra protection options, support, and convenience of buying from Best Buy, we've rounded up the best of the best available from the retail giant, including our top pick: the Surface Laptop 2.

It's a great time to be a fan of Windows laptops, and if you're in the market for a new device, there are plenty of options for a wide number of uses. Microsoft's Surface Laptop 2 is no doubt the best bet for most people who just need an above-average laptop for everyday use, thanks to a premium build quality, brilliant touch display, and powerful performance. However, there are a bunch of other great laptops, which we've rounded up here.

As far as Ultrabooks are concerned, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 2 is our top pick. It has a premium build quality, a knockout touch display, and plenty of configuration options available to help you get exactly what you need.

Lenovo's myriad laptop lineups have seen some exciting improvements over the last few years, and there's a device for you whether you need something for general use, for gaming, for heavy design and development work, or for the corporate world. For most people who just need a stellar Ultrabook for everyday computing, the IdeaPad S940 is likely the best bet thanks to a light 14-inch frame, beautiful 4K display option, robust speakers, and strong performance. However, if you need something a bit different, we've rounded up Lenovo's best right here.

Sometimes you want a tablet and sometimes you want a traditional laptop. Available in both 13-inch and 15-inch configurations, Microsoft's Surface Book 2 (starting at about $1,200) is our top choice when it comes to Windows laptops.

We'd all have the latest and greatest Ultrabooks if we could afford them. But lots of us can't — or just don't want to — hand over thousands of dollars for a computer. Fortunately, there are a lot of choices for the budget-conscious laptop buyer that still provide a great Windows 10 experience. These are the best cheap PC laptops available today.

HP's best overall laptop right now is the HP Spectre x360 13t. It has a unique gem-cut design, all-day battery life, powerful hardware options, and a knockout touch display with inking capabilities that can be converted into tent, stand, and tablet modes.

If you're planning on getting a laptop that's best suited for music production, you're going to not only want to have strong specs, but the correct specs. This means that gaming laptops, such as the Razer Blade series of devices, are prime candidates. The Razer Blade Pro 17 (2017) is your best bet for making music. Its NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU is more than enough for music production, and its i7-7700HQ processor, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB hard drive will give you everything you need.

There are numerous ASUS notebooks available, some at similar price points, so choosing which is best for your needs may appear rather daunting at first. If you were to narrow down your search to one that offers great value and features, the ZenBook 15 would be your best option.

Huawei released the MateBook 13 to sit in between the "X" and the "X Pro" and in many ways, it brings the best of both for a few hundred dollars less than an Apple MacBook Air. Like any laptop, there are a few things that keep it from being perfect, but Huawei continues its winning streak of killer traditional Ultrabooks and the MateBook 13 takes our top spot.

The Samsung Galaxy Book2 is the company's flagship notebook in the 13-inch segment, sporting the latest components and premium design. While not the best value on the market, this Dell laptop will certainly put a smile on your face.

The Razer Blade is simply the best gaming laptop you can buy right now. Razer has made a machine that is specifically designed to handle any gaming situation you can throw at it, including Windows Mixed Reality.

Gaming

Windows Central is made up of hardcore techies from across the spectrum. Many of us are also hardcore gamers and know that sometimes, gaming with wires can be a hassle. Cables are especially problematic if you like moving around or want to leave the room for a quick minute. The best wireless Xbox One headset on the market right now is the incredible LucidSound LS35X, owing to its premium build quality, great audio, and direct-to-device wirelessness.

The Blue Yeti is often recommended if you're simply playing games and need to communicate with friends and guildmates. It's also a fantastic microphone for streamers too, thanks to included features, sound quality, and ease-of-use. It's also not too expensive.

Microsoft's Forza Motorsport franchise is one of the best virtual racers around, and for the last couple of years hasn't even been limited to just the console. Forza Motorsport is one of those racing games that's accessible to all, with casual players and more serious sim racers getting enjoyment from it. If you really want to take your experience to the next level, you have to be comfortable, and you can be in Playseat's ultimate Forza-fan chair, the Evolution.

The Xbox One X is a remarkable console capable of playing games at 4K resolution up to 60 frames per second (FPS). But what if you want to share your high-resolution gaming exploits with the world? The console can capture footage internally, but for the best quality and control, you'll want an AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K.

There are literally hundreds of TV options out there, so choosing just one can be a daunting task. No matter your budgets or requirements, we're here to help. Right now, we're recommending the Samsung Q60 (2019) as the ultimate balance between price, choice, and quality for your Xbox One.

Xbox has been long-considered the home of shooters, first shaped by its pioneering Xbox Live network atop the Halo franchise. This persists today, with most major entries to the genre thriving on Microsoft's flagship console. Grab your gun, find some ammo, and take aim; these are the best Xbox One shooter titles in 2019.

At Windows Central, we have a particular focus on covering and testing gaming headsets. I have personally tested dozens upon dozens of the latest and greatest headset solutions from all sorts of manufacturers, both big and small. We've put together a list of every headset that we've tested to be the best for various user scenarios. But the best of the best right now is the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas.

Microsoft has laid the foundations for Xbox Project Scarlett, its next-generation console slated for next year. Pursuing 8K and 120Hz gaming with future-facing hardware, there's no better time for a TV upgrade. However, the Samsung Q8F 4K HDR TV remains our top pick in 2019, despite Scarlett's high ambitions.

In order to play games on the Xbox One you'll need a controller. Microsoft's Xbox Elite wireless controller is the best gamepad for the company's console. You can customize it to your needs, replace various components, and even remap buttons through an app for console and PC.

Minecraft Earth is soon headed to mobile devices across the globe, bridging the hit block-building franchise with the real world. Capitalizing on the Pokemon Go phenomenon, its augmented reality (AR) offering signals all-new potential for Microsoft's creative sandbox. And while slated to launch later in 2019, the OnePlus 7 Pro offers a striking display and high-performance hardware primed for delivering an unrivalled AR experience for Minecraft Earth.

Having to use standard AA batteries all the time for your Xbox One controllers can be costly and inconvenient due to the fact batteries aren't cheap. However, you have another option: charging stations. Charging stations can be used to recharge the controller batteries that come with them indefinitely. So all you need is a one-time purchase, and you'll never need to worry about repurchasing more AA batteries. There's a lot of good competition on the market for charging stations, but the Fomson Dual Charging Station is the best one overall thanks to its massive maximum playtime per charge, solidly fast charging time, and sleek appearance.

As the Xbox library continues to mature, we now have quite literally hundreds of amazing games worth playing on Microsoft's console platform. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer looking for something to play, we've compiled a list of the biggest, brightest, and best games we've played since the Xbox One launched back in 2013.

The Samsung Q8F is an excellent choice for console gamers, particularly Xbox One X owners. If you need to take your gaming to the next level with 4K and HDR technologies, you could do much worse than the Q8F. Do yourself a favor and spend the money to get the most out of your console.

The Amazon Basics HDMI cable is everything you need to get back up and running with your Xbox One S or X if your existing cable has fallen afoul of a curious pet's jaws or angry partner's scissors. The Amazon Basics cable is as affordable as they come, yet still boasts the quality of more expensive alternatives.

The Wheel Stand Pro G is an excellent and well-rounded stand for the Logitech G920 and other Logitech wheels. It's super adjustable, looks sleek, and is built durably. If the G920's standard table clamps just won't cut it, then this stand is the perfect solution.

Apex Legends burst onto the battle royale scene and is quickly giving Fortnite a run for its money. If you're jumping ship or just want to get in on the action from time to time, you'll want the best controller possible to do so. As it turns out, the best for most people in this case is your standard Xbox One controller.

The YCCSKY Xbox One power brick is a fantastic third party alternative to the standard Xbox One power brick that operates quieter, at higher efficiency, and at a cheaper price to boot, especially as Microsoft begins to phase out production of the original Xbox One.

Accessories

Windows Central is made up of hardcore techies from across the spectrum. Many of us are also hardcore gamers and know that sometimes, gaming with wires can be a hassle. Cables are especially problematic if you like moving around or want to leave the room for a quick minute. The best wireless Xbox One headset on the market right now is the incredible LucidSound LS35X, owing to its premium build quality, great audio, and direct-to-device wirelessness.

Using 1440p (QHD) displays with Windows 10 allows you to be far more productive than with older 1080p (Full HD) monitors. The Dell UltraSharp U2719D is a stunning display with fantastic color reproduction and is our top pick.

The Razer Atheris is our choice for the best Bluetooth mouse to travel with. Its compact size, long battery life, comfortable ergonomics, and excellent performance make it a dependable companion for anyone to take along for the ride.

You love the idea of starting to make your own models and prototypes from essentially nothing, and so you want a 3D printer. Where do you start? Despite its small build plate size, the Monoprice Select Mini Pro is still my top pick for those beginners who don't know what they want to print. There are alternatives if you are looking to print something larger like cosplay items, but for a starter printer, you really can't wrong with the Monoprice.

When faced with multiple colors and multiple types, it's easy to get turned around when trying to choose the right 3D printing resin. We've used as many as possible to bring you some of the best you can buy.

Mouse and keyboard is the preference of many when it comes to flight and space simulators, but nothing beats a joystick for realism and immersion. We've rounded up the best joysticks to use with games on PC, and our number one spot goes to the CH Products Flightstick because it's the best mid-range stick around.

The Blue Yeti is often recommended if you're simply playing games and need to communicate with friends and guildmates. It's also a fantastic microphone for streamers too, thanks to included features, sound quality, and ease-of-use. It's also not too expensive.

External solid-state drives can make life a lot easier for anyone who needs to store and transfer files at a rapid speed. Imagine clicking on a file and having it open immediately with zero to little wait time, or having the ability to load programs quickly and efficiently while gaming. Having an external SSD is definitely a game-changer. We recommend the Samsung T5 Portable SSD for its fast read-write speeds and its modern design.

Laptops are amazing tools for people on the go, but those compact features quickly become flaws at home or in the office. That's where the docks we're highlighting here come into play. The CalDigit TS3 Plus is our top pick for a laptop docking station thanks to its wide selection of ports, including five USB-A 3.1, two Thunderbolt 3, two USB-C, and Ethernet, all contained in a compact and durable aluminum chassis. As long as your laptop has a Thunderbolt 3 port to connect, it should be your first choice.

The Kensington SD7000 Docking Station is the best dock you can buy for the Surface Pro right now, featuring an excellent design, plenty of ports, but at a high price. Even so, you get what you pay for.

The Dell XPS 13 is a beautiful laptop that you'll rightly want to both show off and keep safe. There might only be one good choice right now for a clear case for the XPS 13, but thankfully it's a really good one, so it's easy to recommend.

The Logitech Z906 offers the right combination of loud sound and price to make it our number one pick for a 5.1 surround sound system for PC gaming. If it's excellent audio you seek, and you don't want to have to spend too much money, it will not disappoint. However, we also rounded up a couple of additional audio accessories that are worth a look.

Mesh back office chairs are a great way to ensure that your back stays cool during long hours at the computer, and their flexible nature allows them to support your back in a way that's both effective and comfortable. However, because there are so many of these chairs out there, it can be difficult to figure out which one is the best. Ultimately, though, we feel that the Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair is the best seat for most people, as it's incredibly comfortable, offers a ton of adjustability options, and is fairly priced.

Desks are fantastic pieces of furniture that serve as awesome workstations, but their usefulness is severely hampered if you can't see what you're doing on them. There are a myriad of lamps available on the market that can help you keep your desk well-lit, and one of the best kinds are swing arm lamps, which are highly adjustable and often look pretty cool. Of all the different swing arms available, we think that the Phive CL-1 LED Architect Desk Lamp is the best option, as it's bright, can extend up to almost 33 inches, and can rotate 180 degrees ⁠— all for a very solid price.

Microsoft's Forza Motorsport franchise is one of the best virtual racers around, and for the last couple of years hasn't even been limited to just the console. Forza Motorsport is one of those racing games that's accessible to all, with casual players and more serious sim racers getting enjoyment from it. If you really want to take your experience to the next level, you have to be comfortable, and you can be in Playseat's ultimate Forza-fan chair, the Evolution.

An eGPU is a powerful addition to a laptop with Thunderbolt 3, adding incredible graphics power to a machine that simply might not have it. While there are some compromises, essentially it allows you to turn a laptop into a high-powered desktop PC, but even better than that is that it doesn't have to cost the Earth. And the Razer Core X ticks all the boxes if you're looking for an affordable eGPU.

The motherboard is the heart and soul of a PC, be it a laptop or desktop. You need to ensure you're getting the most out of your purchase when used alongside other components and the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E from ASUS for Intel and ASUS ROG Strix X470-F for AMD are excellent options. Here are some others you might want to check out.

Desks make for excellent workstations because they give us a large amount of space that we can use, but they can become overrun with clutter. Thankfully, there are different storage solutions out there that can help you keep your desk neat and tidy. Because there are so many, though it's hard to choose a favorite. In the end, however, we feel that the SimpleHouseware Organizer Tray is the best choice since it offers plenty of storage space and a durable build for a good price.

If you've ever forgotten your keys or found opening the door with full hands a hassle, then you should consider a smart lock, which is a Bluetooth-enabled device that replaces traditional locks and allows you to lock and unlock your door with the press of a button on your phone. Most of them also come with alternative ways to unlock your door, and some even automatically unlock when they detect your phone is in range. The market for smart locks is pretty competitive, but we feel that the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect is the best smart lock out there, as it offers a ton of features and versatility for a very fair price.

The new Dell XPS 13 comes with Intel 10th Gen processors, but it's still lacking on the graphics front in no small part due to its compact size. Whether you're looking for more horsepower for professional applications or gaming, you'll need an eGPU to partner your XPS 13, and for that, you want to grab a Razer Core X, which is a great enclosure.

Let's talk business: When you're constantly in meetings or need to talk on the phone, your headset needs some specific qualities. You need a headset with great microphone quality, is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and maybe includes active noise cancelation so you can hear the call better. The Sennheiser MB 660 UC is your best bet. It has long battery life, is super comfortable to wear, and can pair to two devices simultaneously.

Sitting up straighter or standing is a great way to improve your posture when using a laptop, but this can sometimes result in your device feeling uncomfortable to use. Laptop stands are a fantastic way to solve this problem, as they allow you to elevate your computer above your desk. The laptop stand market is wide, but among the competition, we think the standout winner is the AOOU Laptop Stand as it maintains a fantastic balance between versatility, durability, and price.

Playing video games can be an excellent way to teach your child how to problem solve and boost their fine motor skills. Gaming can not only be fun, but it can be extremely educational as well. What better way to motivate your child to learn than to buy them an excellent gaming chair? Allow your child to feel like they're genuinely part of the whole gaming experience with the perfect chair. An added benefit is that these chairs can be used for other activities such as reading and lounging as well. One chair that has it all in terms of style, comfort, and affordability is the Homall Gaming Chair.

Keeping cables hidden from view is something numerous people struggle with, especially in a home office. There is nothing worse than trying to be productive when all of your attention is drawn to the massive web of wires running along and underneath your desk. Luckily for you, there is a solution for your cable management problem: under desk wire trays! We recommend the WireRun Under Desk Cable Manager because it's reasonably easy to install and strong enough to hold and hide your wires and power supply.

The Dell XPS 15 isn't a terrible gaming laptop. In fact, it comes with a dedicated GPU if you configure it from Dell, but that's still not enough for more demanding PC games. This is when you'll want to hook up an external GPU (eGPU) to the available Thunderbolt 3 port. We'd recommend the Razer Core X enclosure along with a GPU simply because it offers the best bang for your buck.

The Xbox One X is a remarkable console capable of playing games at 4K resolution up to 60 frames per second (FPS). But what if you want to share your high-resolution gaming exploits with the world? The console can capture footage internally, but for the best quality and control, you'll want an AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K.

Gaming chairs are arguably one of the most overlooked must-haves when preparing your gaming paradise. You may have the most spectacular gaming setup, but fall short when it comes to a chair that fits your standards. Perhaps, you've spent an abundance of money on everything else in your setup and totally forgot to factor in your throne. For our top choice of the best cheap gaming chairs gaming chairs, we recommend the GTRACING Gaming Chair for its padded seat, ergonomic qualities, and affordability.

As display technology matures, we find higher specifications and features in lower-cost monitors. That means we're now treated to a great selection of high-quality monitors at lower prices. We've looked through everything you can get right now and found the Viewsonic VX2457 to be the one to beat for under $200.

The CalDigit TS3 Plus can deliver 85W of power to your devices, and it has 15 total ports contained in a durable and compact aluminum chassis. This is our top pick for a Thunderbolt 3 docking station, but other options might better suit your needs.

There are literally hundreds of TV options out there, so choosing just one can be a daunting task. No matter your budgets or requirements, we're here to help. Right now, we're recommending the Samsung Q60 (2019) as the ultimate balance between price, choice, and quality for your Xbox One.

It's easy to walk into a printery and be overwhelmed by the options. Finding the right inkjet print paper can be an extreme sport. Quality printouts are a blend of the right paper, right ink, and correct printer settings. For that reason, major companies like Epson, HP, and Canon have a whole line of printing paper and ink combinations that they swear by, but there are other options. There are several good inkjet papers, but the HP Printer Paper, BrightWhite24 is our best pick. This type of paper is compatible with most inkjet printers, and it's thick enough for smudge-free inkjet printing.

Desk grommets may be one of the most underrated and overlooked features on a desk — that's if you've even noticed that your desk has one in the first place. They are small, smooth, round objects that fit perfectly into that little hole found at the back of your desk. Grommets are for passing cables and wires through your tabletop to keep your cords organized and in one spot for great cable management. If you're just looking for a standard grommet that gets the job done, we recommend the Black 2-Inch Desk Cord Grommet. It has a sleek black design, comes in a package of 10, and has enough space to fit cables through effortlessly.

Though optical mice don't require mouse pads to work properly, mouse pads nevertheless offer a ton of benefits to PC users. Using one simply feels better for most people, and they can help protect both your mouse and your desk from dirt, oils, scratches, and more. Because of how valuable they can be, it's a good idea to invest in a quality mouse pad that will serve you well for a long time. The market for mouse pads is wide and fierce since they're a simple accessory, but in the end, we think that the VicTsing Extended Gaming Mouse Pad is the best option for most people thanks to its large size, durable and convenient construction, and good price.

Keeping your workstation, gaming setup, or bedside table well-lit is an important thing for everyone to consider. If you want to do this, your best bet is to get a good lamp. Many of these also come with USB ports that allow you to charge peripheral accessories and devices, too. When it comes to desk lamps that have USB ports, the market is full of excellent options to choose from — but overall, we feel that the TaoTronics Aluminum USB Desk Lamp is the best USB desk lamp out there. It offers 18 different light modes, a highly-adjustable arm, high durability, and effective charging for a great price.

Choosing the right hard drives for your network attached storage (NAS) is incredibly important. Western Digital and Seagate are the two giants for storage and both companies offer an almost identical offering specifically designed with servers in mind. This makes it easy to select the right drive(s) for your NAS. However, out of the two we'd go with Seagate because of speeds for the price.

The mouse is one of the most important accessories for any gaming PC. It's what you'll use the most to interact with software and games (ones that don't require a gamepad at least) and having a pointer you enjoy using will make for a more compelling in-game experience. We've rounded up the best gaming mice available today and our favorite pick is the Razer Viper, the best gaming mouse you can buy.

The future of technology is wireless. Supporting this cable-free future is wireless chargers. For a device to charge/be charged wirelessly, it must be Qi-enabled or use a Qi-enabled charging case. Qi (pronounced as ''chee'') is the standard requirement for wireless energy transfer developed by The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) to standardize wireless charging across all devices. As wireless charging gains traction, the real task lies in settling for the best wireless charger for your office. These devices come in two variations: pads and stands. We've compiled a list of the best options out there, but the Samsung Wireless Charger Duo Pad is our best pick. It comes with two charging pads, enabling you to charge two devices simultaneously.

At Windows Central, we have a particular focus on covering and testing gaming headsets. I have personally tested dozens upon dozens of the latest and greatest headset solutions from all sorts of manufacturers, both big and small. We've put together a list of every headset that we've tested to be the best for various user scenarios. But the best of the best right now is the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas.

Network-attached storage (known simply as NAS) is a handy addition to any home packed full of technology. Whether you need to store some files, music, backups, configure surveillance cameras, stream movies or other media, you'll want to consider installing a NAS. Something like the excellent DS218+ from Synology would be a great place to start.

If you're looking to immerse yourself into your media or games, a solid sound system can do wonders. Surround sound can put you right in the middle of the action and put built-in PC speakers to shame. If you're on the go, a good speaker for your phone makes a huge difference. Logitech is a well-respected brand for a wide range of accessories, and they have several options when it comes to speakers. The Logitech Z506 provides 5.1 surround sound without breaking the bank, and other systems might fit your needs even better.

The best routers are quickly forgotten. They fade into the background and do their job without fault, sometimes for years with no maintenance. For this to come together, it needs to be fast enough for today as well as next year, support as many devices as you'll ever want to connect, and to be expandable if your space or needs change. The affectionately named Linksys MR8300 provides all of this in a simple and convenient package.

Laptops are incredibly useful as they let you work efficiently in any space ⁠— even public ones, such as in a cafe or the lobby of a building. However, there's a risk to doing this: other people can easily peek at your screen, while you're none the wiser, focused on the task at hand. Thankfully, though, there is a solution: laptop privacy screens. These excellent tools allow you to see your screen completely with a frontal viewing angle, while others to your left and right will see only blackness. For most people, we think that the Homy 15.6-inch Laptop Privacy Screen will be the best choice, as it works perfectly, fits one of the most common laptop screen sizes, and comes with some neat additional items that users will find helpful.

Microsoft has laid the foundations for Xbox Project Scarlett, its next-generation console slated for next year. Pursuing 8K and 120Hz gaming with future-facing hardware, there's no better time for a TV upgrade. However, the Samsung Q8F 4K HDR TV remains our top pick in 2019, despite Scarlett's high ambitions.

The Urban Armor Gear Metropolis is everything you'll need to keep your Surface Pro safe and looking like new. Not only does this case offer protection for the tablet, but comes rocking a kickstand and doesn't add too much in terms of weight.

Tablets are incredible little devices, but they have one drawback: they don't have keyboards. This means that you'll need to use the touchscreen if you want to type something, and that's slower than using keys. Thankfully, keyboards made specifically to work with tablets exist, and there are plenty of them on the market that will improve your tablet typing experience tenfold. Our favorite is the Arteck Steel Portable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, as it combines universal device compatibility with a comfortable design, excellent build quality, and an awesome price.

Not just any old PC can run VR — whether you're looking at Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive, Vive Pro, Valve Index, or the Windows Mixed Reality headsets — and you might be wondering about a graphics card (GPU) upgrade to get your PC up to snuff. While the AMD Radeon RX 5700 is likely the best bet for most people due to its performance-to-price ratio, we've rounded up a bunch of options here that fit different budgets and needs.

Sharing a connection can cause latency to spike and can ruin a good online game creating a need for gaming-focused routers. Aside from having good overall specifications, generally, the biggest thing that separates a standard router from a gaming router is prioritization which allows games to cut in line to keep delays to a minimum. With the software and raw power, we have come to expect from the Nighthawk line of routers, the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 keeps its gaming priorities straight to be the best overall gaming router you can buy.

You don't have to be the frugal sort to get a discounted name brand printer in 2019. Inkjet printer prices are crazy low, but replacement cartridges swing the other way. My Dell printer is stocked with replacement cartridges from Speedy Inks because they're every bit as reliable as the OEM offerings but cost half the price. If you have a Dell inkjet printer, you can save some cash by choosing one of these third-party alternatives.

I have an HP printer at the office, and though the low cost of the printer wowed me, I'm not thrilled with OEM ink cartridge prices. As someone who writes and snaps photos for a living, I need colors to be accurate and text to be clear. I put my money on Smart Ink this year and it's paid off. The colors are spot-on, and the ink never smears or suffers bleed-through. If you need a less costly option to HP printer cartridges, try these third-party options.

The Surface Precision Mouse is an amazing pointer when paired with a Surface PC. It sports a solid design, is comfortable to use, can be connected via USB or used wirelessly, and has long-lasting battery life.

If you're looking to save money on Comcast without compromising on speed, buying your own cable modem is a great place to start. A modem takes the cable signal from outside and converts it to something your router or computer understands. The Motorola MB7621 has high-speed capabilities and a 2-year warranty from a trusted name in communications.

As someone who writes and takes photos for a living, I go through a lot of ink. My Canon printer was inexpensive, as most inkjet models are these days, but replacing the ink cartridges is not so budget-friendly. Enter third-party replacement ink cartridges that sell for a fraction of the cost and do just as good of a job as OEM cartridges. My favorite cartridges from E-Z Ink produce superb results and are a great value. If you're looking for a more affordable option to Canon's OEM cartridges, check out these third-party replacements.

The easiest way to upgrade the performance of your Dell XPS 15 is to increase the RAM. The Corsair Vengeance Performance 32GB DDR4 kit is the perfect upgrade for the Dell XPS 15 (7590 and 9570), allowing you to really take advantage of the GTX GPU and Intel Core i7 processor. The more RAM you have, the more you can do at once on your notebook.

The Rosewill 146-piece toolkit has everything you need for tinkering with or building a PC. Not only can it be used for on a desktop PC, but also notebooks and other devices, especially ones where the manufacturer uses uncommon screws (looking at you Apple).

When buying the new Dell XPS 15 7590 there are a range of RAM options to choose from. But, like virtually all desktops and laptops, you can save some money by adding more yourself compared to paying a manufacturer to do it for you. If you're looking to do just that, the Corsair Vengeance 32GB kit is the upgrade to make.

For the last five years we've invested in the 3D printing world, using as many printers as we can to see what is good and what is bad. We all know that printing can be expensive — there are machines out there that start at $3,000 and go up from there — so we want you to have some idea of what you can get for cheaper. When it comes to value and quality you can't beat the Prusa i3 MK3. While it isn't the cheapest of the machines on this list, it is easily the best quality in terms of build and print.

A good, reliable keyboard is an essential accessory to have if you're planning on doing a lot of typing on your computer, and there are even keyboards available that work with tablets and smartphones, too. Logitech, one of the most popular tech accessory developers in the world, offers a fantastic selection of great keyboards that will serve you excellently. Out of all of them, we think that the Logitech Craft is the best one since it combines premium build quality with an excellent typing experience and incredible multi-device flexibility.

USB-C is the emerging new standard of plugging things into a PC or a phone, and in most cases, it's backed up by super-fast data transfer in the form of USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3. Through the one single cable and connector, you can power an external display, hook up to USB peripherals, and even charge your laptop. If you're looking to use a USB-C display with your laptop or desktop PC, then get yourself something like the LG 27UD88.

The Eikon Mini is an affordable PC accessory that allows you to add an extra layer of security on your Windows 10 PC, using the power of Windows Hello. It's convenient, and it gives you some added peace of mind.

Power Supply Units (PSUs) are one of the most important pieces of hardware that any PC gamer looking to build their own rig should consider carefully. Without a strong enough PSU to juice up your graphics and processing, your computer won't even turn on. The amount of power (and efficiency) that you need will vary depending on what how strong your other pieces of hardware are, but in general, it's good to have a powerful one in case you plan on upgrading at some point. With that in mind, we think that the Seasonic FOCUS Plus 750 Platinum is the best PSU on the market, as it offers a large amount of power and a fantastic efficiency rating for a great price.

Digital pens, also known as styli, are incredibly useful tools that can be used to browse the web, write, and draw with on devices with touchscreens. Dell sells a wide variety of these, known as Active Pens, and each one of them will appeal to a different person based on what device they own and what they plan on doing with it. Overall, though, we think that the Premium Active Pen is the best out of all of them since it has fantastic pressure sensitivity as well as a large handful of useful features.

2019 has been an amazing year for 3D printing with a huge number of cost-effective and quality printers hitting the market. Whether you looking for an insanely high-quality resin printer, a Filament loading workhorse, or just the cheapest thing to get you into the hobby, we have the right thing for you. For the best all-around printer, I have to give it to the Prusa i3 MK3. It's the most consistently excellent machine in my workshop; it just never lets me down.

It's starting to look like Wi-Fi 6 is the tech cord cutters have been waiting for to finally eliminate Ethernet without compromising on speed. Also known as AX Wi-Fi, Wi-fi 6 brings not only speed improvements but increased bandwidth and traffic management features to improve wireless connections compared to AC Wi-Fi. If you are ready to make this jump to new tech, the ASUS RT-AX88U provides the best overall experience. This router has fast speeds, plenty of room for expansion, and a price that's quite competitive.

Not every headset is the same. We've tested countless headsets and know what it takes to make the perfect PC headset for gaming. A good headset makes a huge difference. Choosing a high-quality headset will allow you to hear all sounds clearly in-game while having the ability to communicate with friends and clanmates using your favorite VoIP client. That's why we recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC: you'll get all of that and more.

If you're looking to get into PC gaming — or you want to take your current PC gaming experience to the next level — you should strongly consider getting your hands on a good gaming monitor. The market for gaming monitors is filled with a huge variety of different options, and it's hard to pin down which monitor is truly the best. Overall, though, we think that the BenQ EX3501R is the best gaming monitor out there due to its excellent immersive curved design, great specs, and fair price.

Corsair is one of the best developers of PC gaming accessories in the market space, and the keyboards that it designed are nothing short of excellent. So excellent, in fact, that it's hard to definitively say which one is the best. However, after a lot of consideration, we think that the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is the best due to its incredibly sturdy design, fantastic responsiveness and accuracy, useful features, and advanced RGB lighting.

In the modern world where the size of files is always increasing, having an adequate amount of storage space for your computer or gaming console is important. While the 500GB or 1TB drives that most machines come with are sometimes enough, you'll often find — especially if you play a lot of video games — that you need more. Thankfully, Toshiba is here to help you with their quality Canvio series of external hard drives. Out of all of the different Canvio drives on the market, our favorite is the Canvio Advance thanks to its perfect balance of storage space, size, price, and security.

One of the best ways to give you more freedom while using your desktop computer or laptop is to use a wireless mouse instead of a wired one. Since you're free from the usual restrictive cord, a wireless mouse allows you to create any mouse setup that you want without having to worry about measuring physical distance. One of the most well-renowned developers of wireless mice is Logitech, a company that has long been a dominant entity in the PC accessories development market. Out of all of Logitech's mice, we think that the Logitech MX Master 2S is the best one because of its excellent balance between comfort, functionality, and price.

The Dell UltraSharp U2719D is the display we'd recommend at the 27-inch size bracket, should you be on the hunt for a professional display with an attractive design and all the features you'd need in a 1440p monitor.

As devices get thinner and smaller, ports can become a premium commodity. While many accessories work with Bluetooth, you're going to need ports for certain devices. Sabrent makes a variety of USB hubs that help you convert a single USB port into a plethora of ports for your machine. Its Universal Docking Station has several ports and is a solid choice for converting a portable device into something that feels like a desktop. If you're on the go, both of the other entries on this list are also good options.

In order to play games on the Xbox One you'll need a controller. Microsoft's Xbox Elite wireless controller is the best gamepad for the company's console. You can customize it to your needs, replace various components, and even remap buttons through an app for console and PC.

Cable internet providers use the DOCSIS standard for cable modems. The most common version currently is DOCSIS 3.0 which can provide up to 960Mbps with 24 channels.
Using a modem with more channels gives you a higher potential top speed but your connection will only ever be as fast as your package from your ISP. If you want to save some money over modem rental fees, the Linksys CM3016 is the best overall package for most people thanks to its fast 686Mbps speeds that are more than adequate for most customers.

While monitors come rocking their own stands, it's better to use an aftermarket display arm to hoist the display up into more comfortable positions. The Mount-It! MI-7C012 is an excellent choice and comes in two variants, one for a single monitor and a second for two. The price, solid build quality, and display size support make this mount our top recommendation.

The TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi router comes equipped with six total antennas, three of which are external and replaceable. Using the common RP-SMA standard connection type, the antennas on the back of the router can be unscrewed and replaced with a third party option. Most of the time, a router can be moved to a better area to improve signal, but sometime there is no better option and more gain is needed. The HUACAM WiFi Antenna Dual Band has a strong signal up to 10dbi and supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies. This is one of the best antennas you can add to your router without being too bulky.

Overclocking your gaming computer's processor is an excellent way to boost gaming performance, which can often make the difference when playing CPU-intensive titles. However, it's a double-edged sword, as overclocking will often put your processor at risk for overheating, which can cause permanent damage. There's a solution to make overclocking safer, though: liquid cooling devices. These nifty contraptions transfer heat from your processor to water, cooling it down efficiently and effectively. One of the best manufacturers of liquid cooling systems is CORSAIR and out of all its liquid coolers, the Hydro Series H100i Pro RGB is the best due to its excellent capabilities, balanced size, and fair price.

Choosing the best drives for your NAS is more important doing the same for your desktop or laptop. You need storage that's capable of running continuously without issue and is reliable enough to hold all your valuable data. Luckily, there are drives out there designed specifically for use with a NAS, like the excellent Seagate IronWolf.

Though you could simply set your headset to the side when you aren't playing games, that's risky, as you might accidentally scratch your headset, the surface you put it on, or possibly even both. Therefore, it's a great idea to get yourself a headset stand. The best overall headset stand you can get is the CORSAIR ST100 RBG, as it combines a sturdy, durable design with dual USB ports, the ability to channel headset audio into 7.1 surround sound, a sleek aesthetic, and snazzy RGB lighting.

Keeping your CPU cooled while it's busy handling everything you throw at it is incredibly important. We've rounded up the best CPU coolers for your desktop PC. If we were to choose a single best solution, it would be the Cooler Master 212 EVO for the value offered.

Having to use standard AA batteries all the time for your Xbox One controllers can be costly and inconvenient due to the fact batteries aren't cheap. However, you have another option: charging stations. Charging stations can be used to recharge the controller batteries that come with them indefinitely. So all you need is a one-time purchase, and you'll never need to worry about repurchasing more AA batteries. There's a lot of good competition on the market for charging stations, but the Fomson Dual Charging Station is the best one overall thanks to its massive maximum playtime per charge, solidly fast charging time, and sleek appearance.

Even with perfect placement, sometimes your wireless router just doesn't have the power to cover your entire property. You can easily eliminate the weak points in your network coverage by adding in a Wi-Fi extender from D-Link. The D-Link DAP-1720 Wi-Fi extender provides a great balance of speed and size and will be a powerful addition to any network in need of a bit more range.

One of the first steps in making sure your connection is secure and protecting your privacy online is using a virtual private network (VPN). You can set up a VPN on each device individually with support in new versions of Android and iOS as well as Mac, Windows, and Linux — and there are a ton of great VPN deals out there. The main problem is that it has to be set up on each device individually. The Asus RT-AC68U solves this by allowing you to program a VPN directly into the router with support for OpenVPN configurations. Currently, only Asus builds this functionality into its software out of the box but many router manufacturers like Linksys allow for custom firmware like DD-WRT, which is open source and adds OpenVPN support.

HyperX makes a range of great headsets for all sorts of users, with all sorts of features. HyperX is generally known for comfort and quality at affordable prices, so much so that other competitors, like Turtle Beach, have been forced to follow some of HyperX's design conventions to get into the same price bracket. Which should you buy though? We have broken down the four best HyperX headsets, and what unique features they bring to the table, but the best is still the HyperX CloudX, which gives you great sound in a sturdy, comfortable body.

The TerraMaster F2-221 is an excellent budget-friendly NAS that can double up as a Plex Media Server. It only comes with 2GB of RAM, which causes issues when intense services and tasks are run on the NAS, but TerraMaster makes it possible to install an additional 2GB RAM module to double the capacity available.

Every day we ask more and more of our wireless networks with new smart home devices like virtual assistant speakers and streaming devices. What once felt fast enough for Wi-Fi can start to show signs of slowdown in certain areas of our homes where the wireless signal is weaker. One quick and easy way to improve this is with a range extender and Linksys has been making networking equipment like this for years. The RE7000 Wi-Fi extender provides a great balance of features and will keep up with the needs of most people that use several online devices. The RE7000 gives you the best balance of features but everything here supports Wi-Fi 5 speeds and at least one Ethernet connection.

Improving your Wi-Fi is more important than ever with people adding more to their network all the time, so getting a router that works for you is important. Luckily, there are routers for all types. A good compact router, for example, can provide all the modern features and speed of a full-size router for a smaller living space. The Amplifi HD Mesh Router retains all the features of a traditional router in a sleek and compact form with a vibrant display. All of these routers can also be expanded with a mesh network if your needs grow. We have compared the features of small routers from several manufacturers so we could put them head-to-head so you can find out which one makes the most sense for you.

When using a gaming laptop for intense gaming, its internal components can sometimes get hot due to the stress on the machine. When this happens, gaming performance can slow, and the lifespan of your computer's hardware can be reduced, too. Cooling pads are special devices that can help keep this from happening to laptops like the Razer Blade Pro 17. The best overall cooling pad you can get for your Razer Blade Pro 17 is the CM Storm SF-17. Between its awesome cooling power, quad USB ports, and adjustable positioning, you won't find a better cooling pad on the market.

The Samsung Q8F is an excellent choice for console gamers, particularly Xbox One X owners. If you need to take your gaming to the next level with 4K and HDR technologies, you could do much worse than the Q8F. Do yourself a favor and spend the money to get the most out of your console.

Comfortable, quality mice aren't exclusive to right-handers. The majority might be designed this way, but the good news for left-handers is that you're in no way left out. One of the best mice for right-handed people, the Razer Deathadder Essential is also available in a left-handed design, and that's great news for you.

The Amazon Basics HDMI cable is everything you need to get back up and running with your Xbox One S or X if your existing cable has fallen afoul of a curious pet's jaws or angry partner's scissors. The Amazon Basics cable is as affordable as they come, yet still boasts the quality of more expensive alternatives.

Getting in shape is hard no matter how long you've been doing or what level you are for exercise and fitness. I've been using Fitbit wearables since 2013 and own nearly every one of them whether budget ones or their best because I'm a fitness junky. If you're looking to get into Fitbit here are four outstanding options in 2019 right now and, luckily for you, I use all four. Which one is right for you? I've rounded up the pros and cons of each including price range, features, and who should buy them. These are the best Fitbit wearables for 2019.

While 1080p and 1440p monitors are still popular options for a lot of gamers, 4K UHD displays are catching on in the professional and casual ranks thanks to a way better picture, dropping prices, and better hardware inside our PCs. For most people who need a quality multipurpose 4K monitor, HP's Z27 is a great pick, while the ASUS PB287Q is a more affordable option. Those who need a 4K monitor for specialized design tasks can check out what BenQ and Dell have to offer, while Acer and LG bring quality options with a focus on 4K gaming. These are our picks for the best 4K PC monitors available today.

Keyboard and mouse may be the preferred method of input for PC gamers, but some games just don't suit it. For others, a good controller is what you need, and for that you should be getting the Xbox Elite Controller.

Overall, the best CPU on the market for Anthem is the Intel Core i7-8700K. With six cores and 12 threads, the i7-8700K is packing a lot of power, and that's important for Anthem since the game is very CPU-intensive. It's far from cheap, but it will give you the power you need in order to play the game at high settings in standard HD resolution at a buttery-smooth frame rate.

Tablets

There are many Windows 10 tablets on the market, and it can be hard to sort through all the rubbish. But we love Windows, and we love tablets, and we put in the work. Here are our picks for the best Windows 10 tablets you can buy, with the Surface Go being our pick for overall best.

It used to be that a good Windows 10 device cost an arm and a leg, and the cheap ones were rubbish. But that's the past. Today there are plenty of affordable, quality Windows 10 tablets to choose from with the Chuwi Hi10 Air rising to the top of the pile.

Tablets are incredibly useful devices that can be used for work or recreation anywhere without much trouble ⁠— and Lenovo, one of the world's leading tech developers, makes some of the best tablets and convertibles out there on the market. Pretty much all of Lenovo's tablets are great in one way or another, but overall, we think that the Lenovo Yoga C930 is the best one Lenovo has to offer thanks to its incredible display, efficient and effective hardware, and sleek, slim, and compact profile.

A good, reliable keyboard is an essential accessory to have if you're planning on doing a lot of typing on your computer, and there are even keyboards available that work with tablets and smartphones, too. Logitech, one of the most popular tech accessory developers in the world, offers a fantastic selection of great keyboards that will serve you excellently. Out of all of them, we think that the Logitech Craft is the best one since it combines premium build quality with an excellent typing experience and incredible multi-device flexibility.

Monitors

Using 1440p (QHD) displays with Windows 10 allows you to be far more productive than with older 1080p (Full HD) monitors. The Dell UltraSharp U2719D is a stunning display with fantastic color reproduction and is our top pick.

As display technology matures, we find higher specifications and features in lower-cost monitors. That means we're now treated to a great selection of high-quality monitors at lower prices. We've looked through everything you can get right now and found the Viewsonic VX2457 to be the one to beat for under $200.

USB-C is the emerging new standard of plugging things into a PC or a phone, and in most cases, it's backed up by super-fast data transfer in the form of USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3. Through the one single cable and connector, you can power an external display, hook up to USB peripherals, and even charge your laptop. If you're looking to use a USB-C display with your laptop or desktop PC, then get yourself something like the LG 27UD88.

The Dell UltraSharp U2719D is the display we'd recommend at the 27-inch size bracket, should you be on the hunt for a professional display with an attractive design and all the features you'd need in a 1440p monitor.

While monitors come rocking their own stands, it's better to use an aftermarket display arm to hoist the display up into more comfortable positions. The Mount-It! MI-7C012 is an excellent choice and comes in two variants, one for a single monitor and a second for two. The price, solid build quality, and display size support make this mount our top recommendation.

While 1080p and 1440p monitors are still popular options for a lot of gamers, 4K UHD displays are catching on in the professional and casual ranks thanks to a way better picture, dropping prices, and better hardware inside our PCs. For most people who need a quality multipurpose 4K monitor, HP's Z27 is a great pick, while the ASUS PB287Q is a more affordable option. Those who need a 4K monitor for specialized design tasks can check out what BenQ and Dell have to offer, while Acer and LG bring quality options with a focus on 4K gaming. These are our picks for the best 4K PC monitors available today.

The AOC AGON AG273Q is the latest third-gen monitor from AOC, packing new technologies, enhanced features, and even some RGB lighting for those who enjoy a little light show. It's also an affordable choice, allowing you to spare more of your budget for PC components and other upgrades.

Software

Nothing beats dedicated web hosting for the ultimate control over your website. Also referred to as a dedicated server or managed hosting, dedicated hosting is a type of web hosting where you pay to rent a server that's used solely by your website or websites. Several of the major hosting companies in the U.S. offer their servers for dedicated hosting. Here we take a look at companies selling leasing plans that cost less than $100 per month. Among them, 1&1 IONOS leases a server configuration for the lowest price that also comes with a lot of nice extras.

Generally, any hosting plan can be used for business purposes, but various factors have to be considered. For example, if your website gets a lot of visitor traffic, then you'll want to look at plans that grant enough bandwidth. Other factors include plans that come with helpful extras (such as backup of your website, domain registration, email) or use technology to optimize your site so that your visitors don't experience slowdowns. Some of the major hosting companies sell a "business" category of hosting plans that are specifically tailored for professional use. Among them, Hostwinds offers the most features at the best prices.

To reduce their negative impact on the environment, some web hosting companies implement certain practices on how their data centers are set up and run. The term "green hosting" can refer to centers that are cooled using methods that consume less power, to servers configured with energy-efficient processors or other technologies, or to either run under a renewable energy source such as wind or solar. A hosting company can also buy Renewable Energy Credits to offset the power their data centers use. (One Renewable Energy Credit is created for every one MWh of electricity that's generated by a power company from a renewable source, such as wind or solar, and delivered to the grid.)

If you've ever forgotten your keys or found opening the door with full hands a hassle, then you should consider a smart lock, which is a Bluetooth-enabled device that replaces traditional locks and allows you to lock and unlock your door with the press of a button on your phone. Most of them also come with alternative ways to unlock your door, and some even automatically unlock when they detect your phone is in range. The market for smart locks is pretty competitive, but we feel that the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect is the best smart lock out there, as it offers a ton of features and versatility for a very fair price.

If you have a site, app, or other service online that relies on a Microsoft software technology, such as ASP.NET or .NET, or you need to run a Microsoft database (on Microsoft SQL Server), it may be best to look into a Windows hosting plan. These come with Microsoft's server tools and are configured to support Microsoft services. This makes it easier for you to set up your site if it relies on a Microsoft technology. Among the major hosting companies in the U.S., 1&1 IONOS offers the best deal on a plan tailored for Microsoft's platforms.

A hosting company's reseller plan lets you sell web hosting accounts to other customers, who put their websites on that company's servers. You may want to do this if your business sells niche services, such as marketing, and your clients pay you to host their websites. Or, you're a web developer who could earn extra money selling hosting to your clients for their websites that you've designed. Among the major U.S. hosting companies, InMotion offers plans with the most features and tools to get your new online business up and running right away.

Having your own private email service on a hosting company's servers provides greater flexibility in managing and storing your emails. It's especially useful for business because you can use your server as your email address domain. From there, you can assign additional email accounts to others in your organization. Very few of the major hosting companies in the U.S. sell email hosting as a separate plan, since it typically comes with a web hosting plan. But among them, Hostinger offers the most features to get your private email up and running.

If you're looking to set up a website that you expect will only get a minimal or moderate amount of traffic, a shared hosting plan can help save costs. Shared hosting means that your website shares storage space and bandwidth on the hosting company's servers with other websites owned by other user accounts. Among the U.S. hosting companies with the largest market shares, DreamHost offers the most features for the best price on their shared hosting plans.

Using live malware samples, we tested and evaluated 20 antivirus programs. McAfee Total Protection is the best antivirus software for PCs running Windows 10 because of how well it stops threats before you're infected, the minimal amount of system resources it uses while running and the number of extra protections included with this program.

If your needs for a WordPress website are modest, we've got you covered. Perhaps you only need a personal career portfolio, a basic company website, or a blog. Sometimes, less is more, and the web hosting company GreenGeeks offers the most features under their cheapest hosting plan for WordPress sites with Ecosite Lite. The domain is free, it has unlimited bandwidth, and it's perfect for a personal site. We've gathered a few options for reasonable hosting sites for WordPress for your browsing pleasure.

We were not having it when Adobe decided to double the price of Photoshop in early May. Even though the price has since been put back to normal, the idea of a subscription has turned many off from wanting to use Adobe software. Fortunately, there are many programs out there that work just as well to help you edit photos or create digital art. Our favorite is Affinity Photo since it has many of the same tools as Photoshop and produces powerful edits.

A VPN can be described as an encrypted tunnel that shuttles your internet activity between your PC or phone and a host server. While the internet is a public space, a VPN works by extending an invisibility cloak across the user's activity and allows people to send and receive data in a mostly-anonymous manner. In the simplest terms, a VPN makes it hard for someone to track your activity.

Adobe Premiere Pro is as powerful as it is complicated for newcomers. Should you find the time to master this incredible collection of tools and features, you'll become the master of video editing in no time at all.

PC Building

Using 1440p (QHD) displays with Windows 10 allows you to be far more productive than with older 1080p (Full HD) monitors. The Dell UltraSharp U2719D is a stunning display with fantastic color reproduction and is our top pick.

With a wide variety of PC fans out there, how can you know which ones will keep your system nice and cool? Are you fed up with the inside of your desktop PC being so hot it may as well have opened a summoning portal to the very depths of fiery hell itself? Keep cool and carry on quietly with our favorite fan out there, the Noctua SNF-S12B Redux. It's suitable for being used as both a CPU fan and a case fan as long as you don't mind the lack of lighting. It provides excellent airflow and operates almost silently - once installed, you'll never even know that they are there!

The Logitech Z906 offers the right combination of loud sound and price to make it our number one pick for a 5.1 surround sound system for PC gaming. If it's excellent audio you seek, and you don't want to have to spend too much money, it will not disappoint. However, we also rounded up a couple of additional audio accessories that are worth a look.

The motherboard is the heart and soul of a PC, be it a laptop or desktop. You need to ensure you're getting the most out of your purchase when used alongside other components and the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E from ASUS for Intel and ASUS ROG Strix X470-F for AMD are excellent options. Here are some others you might want to check out.

Desks make for excellent workstations because they give us a large amount of space that we can use, but they can become overrun with clutter. Thankfully, there are different storage solutions out there that can help you keep your desk neat and tidy. Because there are so many, though it's hard to choose a favorite. In the end, however, we feel that the SimpleHouseware Organizer Tray is the best choice since it offers plenty of storage space and a durable build for a good price.

Keeping cables hidden from view is something numerous people struggle with, especially in a home office. There is nothing worse than trying to be productive when all of your attention is drawn to the massive web of wires running along and underneath your desk. Luckily for you, there is a solution for your cable management problem: under desk wire trays! We recommend the WireRun Under Desk Cable Manager because it's reasonably easy to install and strong enough to hold and hide your wires and power supply.

As display technology matures, we find higher specifications and features in lower-cost monitors. That means we're now treated to a great selection of high-quality monitors at lower prices. We've looked through everything you can get right now and found the Viewsonic VX2457 to be the one to beat for under $200.

In order to fully enjoy a PC-based VR experience, you need a computer that has certain hardware that can meet certain performance requirements. If you don't want to go through the hassle of building a completely new PC to get there, we've rounded up some great pre-built desktop PCs, like the Alienware Aurora R8, which is built from the ground up with performance and unique design in mind, making it your best bet for an ultimate VR desktop.

Whether your office consists of a cliff on the edge of a mountain, or a small room in the corner of your house, having the right external hard drive enclosure is extremely important when storing your files and keeping them as secure as possible. We recommend the ORICO External Hard Drive Enclosure as it is compatible with almost all major opperating systems, is extremely easy to set up, and has a professional design.

Though optical mice don't require mouse pads to work properly, mouse pads nevertheless offer a ton of benefits to PC users. Using one simply feels better for most people, and they can help protect both your mouse and your desk from dirt, oils, scratches, and more. Because of how valuable they can be, it's a good idea to invest in a quality mouse pad that will serve you well for a long time. The market for mouse pads is wide and fierce since they're a simple accessory, but in the end, we think that the VicTsing Extended Gaming Mouse Pad is the best option for most people thanks to its large size, durable and convenient construction, and good price.

Not everyone has the time, budget, or know-how to build their own PC, which is where the budget pre-built Acer Aspire TC-885 PC comes into play. It's available with 8th Gen Intel processor (CPU), plenty of RAM and storage, and a keyboard and mouse are included. If you're on a tight budget, it's a great device to get you going on Windows 10 and it will have enough power to tackle daily productivity tasks.

The main purpose of a desk pad is to provide a flat and soft surface area for you to work on comfortably without the risk of damaging your desktop. A desk pad, also referred to as a blotter or a desk mat, is a covering used to protect your tabletop, and there are many different options available. We recommend the Satechi Desk Mat and Mate. It's made of soft leather, is stain-resistant, and it has a wide surface area. This desk pad is perfect for everyday use in your home office.

Choosing the right hard drives for your network attached storage (NAS) is incredibly important. Western Digital and Seagate are the two giants for storage and both companies offer an almost identical offering specifically designed with servers in mind. This makes it easy to select the right drive(s) for your NAS. However, out of the two we'd go with Seagate because of speeds for the price.

Computer desks are constantly adapting and changing to meet our needs. As more and more people are working from home or in smaller areas, the demand for more efficient workspaces is rising. Desks that have adequate tabletop space and visual appeal are perfect for your home office. One desk that checks all the boxes when it comes to space-saving abilities, workspace, and style is the L-Shaped Folding Computer Desk.

Network-attached storage (known simply as NAS) is a handy addition to any home packed full of technology. Whether you need to store some files, music, backups, configure surveillance cameras, stream movies or other media, you'll want to consider installing a NAS. Something like the excellent DS218+ from Synology would be a great place to start.

Laptops are incredibly useful as they let you work efficiently in any space ⁠— even public ones, such as in a cafe or the lobby of a building. However, there's a risk to doing this: other people can easily peek at your screen, while you're none the wiser, focused on the task at hand. Thankfully, though, there is a solution: laptop privacy screens. These excellent tools allow you to see your screen completely with a frontal viewing angle, while others to your left and right will see only blackness. For most people, we think that the Homy 15.6-inch Laptop Privacy Screen will be the best choice, as it works perfectly, fits one of the most common laptop screen sizes, and comes with some neat additional items that users will find helpful.

Tablets are incredible little devices, but they have one drawback: they don't have keyboards. This means that you'll need to use the touchscreen if you want to type something, and that's slower than using keys. Thankfully, keyboards made specifically to work with tablets exist, and there are plenty of them on the market that will improve your tablet typing experience tenfold. Our favorite is the Arteck Steel Portable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, as it combines universal device compatibility with a comfortable design, excellent build quality, and an awesome price.

Not just any old PC can run VR — whether you're looking at Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive, Vive Pro, Valve Index, or the Windows Mixed Reality headsets — and you might be wondering about a graphics card (GPU) upgrade to get your PC up to snuff. While the AMD Radeon RX 5700 is likely the best bet for most people due to its performance-to-price ratio, we've rounded up a bunch of options here that fit different budgets and needs.

If you thought you had to build a gaming PC to get the most out of it, you'd be wrong. There are amazing pre-built rigs out there, like the Alienware Aurora, that give you all the fun without any of the fuss.

The Rosewill 146-piece toolkit has everything you need for tinkering with or building a PC. Not only can it be used for on a desktop PC, but also notebooks and other devices, especially ones where the manufacturer uses uncommon screws (looking at you Apple).

For the last five years we've invested in the 3D printing world, using as many printers as we can to see what is good and what is bad. We all know that printing can be expensive — there are machines out there that start at $3,000 and go up from there — so we want you to have some idea of what you can get for cheaper. When it comes to value and quality you can't beat the Prusa i3 MK3. While it isn't the cheapest of the machines on this list, it is easily the best quality in terms of build and print.

A good, reliable keyboard is an essential accessory to have if you're planning on doing a lot of typing on your computer, and there are even keyboards available that work with tablets and smartphones, too. Logitech, one of the most popular tech accessory developers in the world, offers a fantastic selection of great keyboards that will serve you excellently. Out of all of them, we think that the Logitech Craft is the best one since it combines premium build quality with an excellent typing experience and incredible multi-device flexibility.

Power Supply Units (PSUs) are one of the most important pieces of hardware that any PC gamer looking to build their own rig should consider carefully. Without a strong enough PSU to juice up your graphics and processing, your computer won't even turn on. The amount of power (and efficiency) that you need will vary depending on what how strong your other pieces of hardware are, but in general, it's good to have a powerful one in case you plan on upgrading at some point. With that in mind, we think that the Seasonic FOCUS Plus 750 Platinum is the best PSU on the market, as it offers a large amount of power and a fantastic efficiency rating for a great price.

Digital pens, also known as styli, are incredibly useful tools that can be used to browse the web, write, and draw with on devices with touchscreens. Dell sells a wide variety of these, known as Active Pens, and each one of them will appeal to a different person based on what device they own and what they plan on doing with it. Overall, though, we think that the Premium Active Pen is the best out of all of them since it has fantastic pressure sensitivity as well as a large handful of useful features.

If you're looking to get into PC gaming — or you want to take your current PC gaming experience to the next level — you should strongly consider getting your hands on a good gaming monitor. The market for gaming monitors is filled with a huge variety of different options, and it's hard to pin down which monitor is truly the best. Overall, though, we think that the BenQ EX3501R is the best gaming monitor out there due to its excellent immersive curved design, great specs, and fair price.

Desktop machines are some of the most powerful devices in the computing space, and MSI makes plenty of excellent ones that will serve you well for gaming, although they'll also do perfectly for content creation and other power-hungry activities. Out of all of them, we think that the MSI Infinite X is the best you can get your hands on due to its awesome horsepower, badass aesthetic, and balanced price.

Corsair is one of the best developers of PC gaming accessories in the market space, and the keyboards that it designed are nothing short of excellent. So excellent, in fact, that it's hard to definitively say which one is the best. However, after a lot of consideration, we think that the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is the best due to its incredibly sturdy design, fantastic responsiveness and accuracy, useful features, and advanced RGB lighting.

In the modern world where the size of files is always increasing, having an adequate amount of storage space for your computer or gaming console is important. While the 500GB or 1TB drives that most machines come with are sometimes enough, you'll often find — especially if you play a lot of video games — that you need more. Thankfully, Toshiba is here to help you with their quality Canvio series of external hard drives. Out of all of the different Canvio drives on the market, our favorite is the Canvio Advance thanks to its perfect balance of storage space, size, price, and security.

Overclocking your gaming computer's processor is an excellent way to boost gaming performance, which can often make the difference when playing CPU-intensive titles. However, it's a double-edged sword, as overclocking will often put your processor at risk for overheating, which can cause permanent damage. There's a solution to make overclocking safer, though: liquid cooling devices. These nifty contraptions transfer heat from your processor to water, cooling it down efficiently and effectively. One of the best manufacturers of liquid cooling systems is CORSAIR and out of all its liquid coolers, the Hydro Series H100i Pro RGB is the best due to its excellent capabilities, balanced size, and fair price.

Building a PC gives you ultimate freedom, but there are drawbacks, not least the size. An alternative is a great barebones PC, like the incredible Intel Skull Canyon NUC, where you get some of the parts and a tiny little box, with the freedom to fill the rest of it how you wish.

Dell has a sizable lineup of gaming desktops, and each of them has a range of different pros and cons. With gaming desktops, power, price, and style are what matter the most. For that reason, the Alienware Aurora is the overall best Dell gaming desktop that you can get your hands on due to its great balance of power and price, and also its sleek, attractive outer shell.

Keeping your CPU cooled while it's busy handling everything you throw at it is incredibly important. We've rounded up the best CPU coolers for your desktop PC. If we were to choose a single best solution, it would be the Cooler Master 212 EVO for the value offered.

Should you wish to not only work but play on your PC, you'll need to look at investing in a capable GPU. The Graphics Processing Unit is responsible for rendering everything you see on-screen, as well as taking workloads off the CPU when working through calculations. The last thing you want to do when purchasing a new GPU is to waste your money on an older model or one that's not powerful enough to do what you need.

When using a gaming laptop for intense gaming, its internal components can sometimes get hot due to the stress on the machine. When this happens, gaming performance can slow, and the lifespan of your computer's hardware can be reduced, too. Cooling pads are special devices that can help keep this from happening to laptops like the Razer Blade Pro 17. The best overall cooling pad you can get for your Razer Blade Pro 17 is the CM Storm SF-17. Between its awesome cooling power, quad USB ports, and adjustable positioning, you won't find a better cooling pad on the market.

Comfortable, quality mice aren't exclusive to right-handers. The majority might be designed this way, but the good news for left-handers is that you're in no way left out. One of the best mice for right-handed people, the Razer Deathadder Essential is also available in a left-handed design, and that's great news for you.

The best CPU you can get for Apex Legends is the Intel Core i7-8700K. It's not the most powerful processor on the market, but it'll give you excellent performance on Apex Legends and, honestly, you won't need much more.

Overall, the best gaming PC you can buy for Metro Exodus is the MSI Trident X. Between its beefy NVIDIA RTX 2080 graphics card, monster Intel Core i7-9700K processor, 16GB of RAM, and the included mouse, keyboard, and game codes you'll get with this bundle, the MSI Trident X is the best of the best if you're planning on exploring Metro's Russian wasteland — or any modern game for that matter.

Overall, the best gaming PC you can get for playing Apex Legends is the Alienware Aurora R7. Since Apex Legends has pretty low system requirements as far as modern games go, the NVIDIA GTX 1080 graphics card, Intel Core i7-8700 processor, and 16 GB of RAM that the Alienware Aurora R7 comes equipped with is really all you need in order to run the game incredibly smoothly at max settings.

While 1080p and 1440p monitors are still popular options for a lot of gamers, 4K UHD displays are catching on in the professional and casual ranks thanks to a way better picture, dropping prices, and better hardware inside our PCs. For most people who need a quality multipurpose 4K monitor, HP's Z27 is a great pick, while the ASUS PB287Q is a more affordable option. Those who need a 4K monitor for specialized design tasks can check out what BenQ and Dell have to offer, while Acer and LG bring quality options with a focus on 4K gaming. These are our picks for the best 4K PC monitors available today.

Pound for pound, the best gaming PC you can buy for Anthem is the iBUYPOWER Pro Gaming PC. Since it packs an NVIDIA RTX 2070 graphics card, an Intel Core i7-9700K processor, and 16GB of RAM, you'll be able to play Anthem on high settings and resolutions without any problems at all.

Keyboard and mouse may be the preferred method of input for PC gamers, but some games just don't suit it. For others, a good controller is what you need, and for that you should be getting the Xbox Elite Controller.

Overall, the best CPU on the market for Anthem is the Intel Core i7-8700K. With six cores and 12 threads, the i7-8700K is packing a lot of power, and that's important for Anthem since the game is very CPU-intensive. It's far from cheap, but it will give you the power you need in order to play the game at high settings in standard HD resolution at a buttery-smooth frame rate.

When it comes to combating or preventing carpal tunnel syndrome, the best overall mouse you can get is the Anker Wireless Vertical. This is because it's shaped in a way that alleviates and fights muscle pain in your wrist and hands, making it super comfortable to use. In addition, it also has a good optical sensor, excellent battery efficiency, and a convenient compartment on the bottom that you can put the wireless receiver in during travel.

The Jelly Comb Wireless Mouse is, overall, the best vertical mouse on the market for people with small hands. This is because it has a small yet comfortable-to-use design, a good optical sensor, a great range of customization options, and a clever compartment on the bottom for the wireless receiver, all for the very affordable price of $17.

The Anker Wireless Vertical is the best overall vertical mouse on the market due to its superb comfort, incredible battery life, unique power-saving mode, and a solid optical sensor. As if these things weren't enough, it also comes with an 18-month warranty, solidifying its status as an awesome choice.

Having the right tools at your disposal when PC gaming is critical, and the heart of your performance is your keyboard. If you want the very best gaming keyboard money can buy, you want the Corsair K95.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 is, pound for pound, the best GPU for pushing Anthem to higher resolutions at top settings whilst also maintaining a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). It's not cheap, but it's an amazing graphics card that's worth every penny since it will handle games incredibly well.

The Division 2 is a demanding game and requires quite the PC to power through all the detail and other in-game features. There are plenty of pre-built PCs to choose from, but Dell's Alienware Aurora is a fine example of a gaming rig done right.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 is one of the strongest graphics cards in NVIDIA's GTX 10 series of GPUs, and it has enough power to run Apex Legends at its highest settings incredibly smoothly. It's a bit pricey, but it's worth it overall, especially since you'll be able to use it with tons of other games, too.

The Intel Core i7-9700K is a heavy-duty CPU that can handle Metro Exodus at the highest settings and resolutions, and it provides all the processing power that the best GPUs out right now need. It's expensive as far as CPUs go, but it's ultimately worth it in the long run since you won't need to worry about upgrading for a long time.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is the best overall GPU on the market right now, and if you want to push Metro Exodus' visuals to their limits while also playing at a silky-smooth framerate, you'll need one. The cost is, admittedly, quite steep. Nevertheless, Metro Exodus looks and feels like a game ahead of its time, so its highest settings demand the very best.

The Synology DS218+ isn't the most powerful NAS you can set up, but it is one of the better equipped prebuilt models offered by the company. Featuring a 64-bit Intel Celeron processor, it's possible to stream 4K content to devices that support the same file format without issue.

The Seagate Ironwolf is a family of hard drives from a reputable brand that is specifically designed for use in a Network Attached Storage device. These drives are rated for continuous operation and come rocking some advanced features you can't find on desktop drives.